The GFWC Macomb’s Woman’s Club, the League of Women Voters of McDonough County, the Macomb Feminist Network, and the Western Illinois Museum announce

A Centennial Celebration of the 19^th Amendment

Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at 5:00 p.m.

In Chandler Park

A Centennial Celebration of the 19^th Amendment is being planned by local organizations, including the GFWC Macomb’s Woman’s Club, the League of Women Voters of McDonough County, the Macomb Feminist Network, and the Western Illinois Museum. The 19^th Amendment was passed in August of 1920 and gave women in the United States the right to vote. To mark the anniversary, a program will be held in Chandler Park, in Macomb, Illinois, on Wednesday, August 26^th at 5:00 pm.  The public is invited to attend; face coverings and social distancing will be observed. Following at 7:00 pm will be a live online program on Facebook.

At 7:00 pm, an online program will be held live on Facebook where the commentaries will be broadcast followed by an opportunity for questions and discussion. The live stream can be found on a special Facebook page for the event at 19^th Amendment Celebration Macomb, IL.

The gathering in Chandler Park to celebrate the anniversary will start at 5:00 pm at the Gazebo with short commentaries by local women. Each will speak briefly on the impact the 19^th Amendment has had on our country and our community. Speakers include Jane Ellickson Coplan, President of the League of Women Voters of McDonough County; Brenda Allison, President of the GFWC Macomb’s Woman’s Club; Tammie Leigh Brown Edwards, Macomb City Alderwoman; Julia Albarricin, Western Illinois University Professor of Political Science; Sue Scott, Director of the Western Illinois Museum; Gayle Carper; Macomb City Alderwomen. Additional online speakers include Kim Rice and Maren McIlvaine Newsad, Macomb High School graduate and student at Denison University. In the tradition of the suffragettes, guests are encouraged to wear white and participate in a brief parade around the park following the remarks.

On August 18, 1920, Tennessee became the 36^th state to ratify the 19^th Amendment giving women the right to vote –36 being the number of states needed to make it a federal law. The nearly 73-year suffrage movement was begun at the 1848 Women’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York, by Elizabeth Cady Stanton. It was signed into law on August 26^th, when United States Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby signed his certification that all conditions required for ratification had been met. The Amendment states, “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”

Chandler Park is located one block north of Macomb’s Courthouse Square. Free street parking is available.  Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs, wear masks, and practice social distancing.  For more information contact the Western Illinois Museum at call 309.837.2750, text 309.837.2613, or email info@wimuseum.org.